Dogs can be susceptible to a variety of eye problems. Some of these can be mild and treatable at home while others are much more serious and need veterinarian attention. Here are the most common eye problems in dogs:

1. Eye Infection

An eye infection can affect any part of your dog’s eye, including the eyelid, conjunctiva (the pink part of an eye), and even the eye itself. These eye infections can be caused by bacteria, a fungus, or a virus.

Discoloration around a dog’s eyes and mouth can be normal or it can be a sign of infection or a health issue. It’s important to know when to take your dog to the veterinarian when they have an eye infection. There are some signs to look out for that signal your dog needs to be seen by their vet:

• Drainage from the eye, specifically if it’s yellow, red, or green
• Your dog not being able to open their eye or squinting a lot
• Hair loss, swelling, or crusting of the eyelid or area
• A red or swollen conjunctiva or whites of the eye

These are symptoms you should never ignore in your dog. Your veterinarian will run some tests to determine what is causing the infection. They will most likely perform an eye stain to look for corneal damage.

With this diagnostic test, a fluorescein stain is applied to the eye to test for injuries or defects. If it turns out to be an eye infection, the typical treatment is eye drops. Oral antibiotics may be prescribed if the infection is present in the eyelid.

2. Glaucoma

Glaucoma in dogs is an eye disease that is categorized by increased pressure in the eye. Typically, fluid flows in and out of the eye to regulate pressure. When glaucoma occurs, there may be either too much fluid going into the eye or there could be a drainage problem. These things can cause increased pressure in the eye.

In the earliest stage of glaucoma, a dog’s eye may start to become red with visible vessels on the whites of the eye. They may also have eye pain. As the disease advances, the cornea may begin to look cloudy from stretching and the dog’s eye may become larger, causing much more pain.

If glaucoma is caught in the early stages, it can be treated with medication. Medication will help reduce fluid production in the eye and encourage better drainage. This will help reduce the pressure in the dog’s eye.

However, if glaucoma has progressed too far, or medication cannot reduce the pain and pressure, the veterinarian may recommend the removal of the dog’s eye, also known as an enucleation. It may sound like an extreme treatment but dogs can live very happy and normal lives without the affected eye.

3. Cataracts

When dogs develop cataracts, the center part of their eye may begin to look cloudy. This is because the lens has lost its transparency, which can lead to vision problems. Cataracts can occur in one or both eyes.

Cataracts may be caused by age or diseases, but they also can be hereditary. One of the most common causes of cataracts is diabetes. Due to a higher amount of glucose in the body, the lens can begin to swell. Without proper treatment, the lens can rupture and cause a major eye infection. Cataracts and other health issues are just a small part of what you should know about canine diabetes.

As dogs age, cataracts become more likely. They can also form due to inflammation and internal eye infections. Some dogs may lose vision or become blind if the cataracts become too large or severe. It’s important to have your vet assess your dog for the underlying cause of cataracts. Knowing the cause of the cataract can help your vet pick the best course of treatment.

4. Corneal Ulcer

Another common eye problem in dogs is corneal ulcers. Corneal ulcers develop when the cornea is scratched or irritated. When a dog’s cornea is scratched, their eye may look cloudy and they might have a discharge that is yellow, green, or clear.

While these ulcers are most often caused by injury or irritation, they can also be caused by inflammation due to dry eye. Brachycephalic breeds, like Pugs, are most susceptible to this condition because of their large eyes.

Your dog will probably squint and try to rub at the area, which can exacerbate the problem. Corneal ulcers are quite painful so seek treatment from your vet immediately.

5. Dry Eye

Certain dog breeds like Pugs, Shih-Tzus, and Poodles as well as dogs with diabetes are more susceptible to dry eye. Dry eye, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), can cause an immune response to destroy the tear ducts. When this happens, the dog’s eye is not lubricated enough by the natural tears, which can cause discomfort and other problems.

The dog’s eye will become inflamed and red and their eyes will be more prone to eye infections and ulcers. Some dogs may require surgery to correct this problem, but many find relief in eyedrops or eye ointment. These topical solutions can help stimulate tear production and offer more lubrication if needed.

6. Uveitis

Uveitis is an inflammation inside of a dog’s eye. This can be caused by different underlying causes such as tick-borne illnesses, cancer, systemic fungal disease, as well as autoimmune disorders.

Uveitis can lead to lifelong problems if not treated properly. Extensive testing may be involved to find the underlying cause and determine treatment. For short-term treatment while testing is undergoing, vets often prescribe anti-inflammatory and preventative glaucoma eye drops.

7. Cherry Eye

Cherry eye in dogs is quite common. If you notice a bright red protrusion that looks a little bit like a cherry in the corner of your dog’s eye, they may most likely have what is referred to as cherry eye. This is a prolapse of the tear duct on your dog’s third eyelid. Their tear duct moves from behind their eyelid and becomes swollen and red.

Surgery is required to correct this protrusion. Unfortunately, when one eye has cherry eye, it is likely the other eye will also develop cherry eye so many vets wait to do surgery on both eyes. While your dog awaits surgery, eye drops are administered to help the tear duct return to its normal position. Cherry eye may return after surgery.

8. Conjunctivitis/Pink Eye

Many people think of pink eye (conjunctivitis) as a children’s infection that typically rips through a classroom. However, dogs can also become infected with conjunctivitis. This is an infection of the conjunctiva, which is the moist tissue around a dog’s eye and eyelid.

Signs and symptoms of pink eye in dogs include red or bloodshot whites of the eyes. They may also squint or keep their eyes shut and have green or yellow discharge in the eye. Pink eye might also be why your dog is rubbing their face.

Conjunctivitis is usually caused by an allergy or a virus. You should call your vet if you suspect your dog has conjunctivitis. Treatments include bacterial eye drops and in some cases, steroids to reduce inflammation. Treatment usually takes about a week for the pink eye to clear up.

And if you’re wondering if your dog can catch pink eye from you and other people, the answer is yes. It’s one of the diseases you can spread to your dog. If anyone in your family has pink eye, make sure every person takes handwashing very seriously, especially before touching your dog. The infected person should refrain from touching your dog until their conjunctivitis has cleared up. Thankfully, it is pretty rare for humans to catch conjunctivitis from dogs.

9. Eyelid And Eyelash Abnormalities

Another common eye problem in many different breeds is eyelid and eyelash abnormalities. These abnormalities are especially common in short-nosed and flat-faced dogs. Dogs affected with these abnormalities tend to be born with these issues. Surgery is typically required to correct the abnormalities and prevent ongoing issues.

The most typical abnormalities are:

• Entropion: This is when the eyelid rolls inward, causing the dog’s eyelashes to rub on the eye. Entropion can cause excessive tearing, which leads to tear stains and discoloration around the dog’s eye.
• Distichia: Dogs with distichia have extra eyelashes that point toward the eye. These extra eyelids may or may not irritate the eye. If they cause irritation, they may also cause excessive tearing that leads to discoloration and tear stains.
• Ectopic Cilia: These are abnormal hairs that grow from under the eyelid. They poke the cornea which can cause recurrent ulcers. Ectopic cilia can be one of the reasons why dogs cry.
• Eyelid Tumors: Some dogs have tumors that grow on the eyelid margins. These tumors are usually noncancerous but they may rub on the cornea. These occur most often in middle-aged or senior dogs.

10. Corneal Issues and Degeneration

Corneal inflammation (also known as keratitis) can be a result of chronic irritation to the cornea or an abnormality in a dog’s immune system. When a dog has keratitis, red or cloudy spots due to inflammation appear on a normally clear cornea. There is also a specific form of keratitis called pannus that affects German Shepherds and Greyhounds. Keratitis typically responds well to eye drops formulated to reduce inflammation.

Dogs’ corneas can degenerate over time. When they do, the cornea appears cloudy in a pinpoint spot from a previous injury, or fluid buildup can cause the whole cornea to turn blue. The latter condition, known as corneal endothelial degeneration, tends to occur mostly in Boston Terriers. Unfortunately, corneal endothelial degeneration does not respond well to treatment. This degeneration may lead to visual impairment.

11. Retinal Disease

There are a few retinal conditions that impact the health of the retina. The retina contains two main photoreceptor cells called rod cells and cone cells. Dogs’ eyes contain many more rods than cones, which is why dogs may not be able to see color like we do but have good vision in low light conditions. They can also detect and follow movement with little or no light.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

The retina can develop several different issues. A common one, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), is a hereditary condition that causes thinning of the retina layer over time. This results in progressive blindness over months to years and unfortunately, there is no effective treatment.

SARDS

Another condition that causes sudden blindness is sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS). SARDS is idiopathic, meaning there is no known cause of the blindness. Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment available and blindness is permanent.

Dogs with SARDS can still live very happy and fulfilling lives after they adjust to blindness. Avoid rearranging your home so your dog can memorize the layout and avoid injuries. This is one of the ways to prep your house for a dog with disabilities that can help them better navigate at home. Also, never let your dog off-leash outside unless they’re in a fenced-in area.

Retinal Detachments

Retinal detachments are another common retina condition. This occurs when the retina may detach due to an immune disorder, genetic predisposition, eye trauma, high blood pressure, or other eye diseases.

Surgery can be performed by a specialized dog eye surgeon who may be able to reattach the retina although this isn’t a guarantee. Some medications are effective for retinal diseases caused by immune disorders.

These are just a few common eye problems in dogs to be aware of. Just like humans, eye health is very important for your furry friend so knowing potential issues might be able to prevent problems later!